Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale848

In this context, FAO has the essential task of examining the issue of

world hunger at the institutional level and proposing particular initiatives

that involve its member States in responding to the growing demand for

food. Indeed, the nations of the world are called to give and to receive in

proportion to their effective needs, by reason of that "pressing moral need for

renewed solidarity, especially in relationships between developing countries

and those that are highly industrialized".2

3. The recent worthy campaign "1 Billion Hungry", by which FAO seeks

to raise awareness of the urgency of the fight against hunger, has highlighted

the need for an adequate response both from individual countries and from

the international community, even when the response is limited to assistance

or emergency aid. This is why a reform of international institutions according

to the principle of subsidiarity is essential, since "institutions by themselves

are not enough, because integral human development is primarily a vocation,

and therefore it involves a free assumption of responsibility in solidarity on

the part of everyone".3

In order to eliminate hunger and malnutrition, obstacles of self-interest

must be overcome so as to make room for a fruitful gratuitousness, mani-

fested in international cooperation as an expression of genuine fraternity.

This does not obviate the need for justice, though, and it is important that

existing rules be respected and implemented, in addition to whatever plans

for intervention and programmes of action may prove necessary. Individuals,

peoples and countries must be allowed to shape their own development,

taking advantage of external assistance in accordance with priorities and

concepts rooted in their traditional techniques, in their culture, in their re-

ligious patrimony and in the wisdom passed on from generation to generation

within the family.

Invoking the blessing of the Almighty upon the activities of FAO, I wish

to assure you, Mr Director General, that the Church is always ready to work

for the defeat of hunger. Indeed, she is constantly at work, through her own

structures, to alleviate the poverty and deprivation afflicting large parts

2 Caritas in veritate, 49. 3 Ibid., 11.